Ecotoxicological and pathological studies of common guillemots Uria aalge, beached on the Belgian coast during six successive wintering periods (1989-90 to 1994-95).

in Diseases of Aquatic Organisms (1997), 29

During six successive wintering periods, 727 common guillemots Uria aalge were recovered from Belgian beaches. One third of the birds were already dead, the rest passed through rehabilitation centres ... [more ▼]

During six successive wintering periods, 727 common guillemots Uria aalge were recovered from Belgian beaches. One third of the birds were already dead, the rest passed through rehabilitation centres where they eventually died. All birds were monitored for general condition (body mass, fat reserves), eventual status of oiling and pathological changes (cachexia, acute hemorrhagic gastro-enteropathy - GEAH -), 339 birds were sampled for trace metals (total and organic Hg, Cu, Zn, Fe, Cd) and PCB analysis. Oiling is still a major cause of death for wintering pelagic seabirds: half of the birds showed signs of external or internal oiling, probably a still greater number of oiled birds never reach the shores. Although a low body mass should be a normal winter condition for wintering guillemots, pathology results showed that three quarters of the studied animals were in a state of cachexia with emaciated pectoral muscles and lowered muscle lipid contents. Elevated levels of Cu, Zn, Hg and PCBs were linked to the state of cachexia and may well represent an additional stress factor leading to debilitation and death of part of the wintering guillemot population. [less ▲]

A gas chromatographic separation for the H and C stable isotope ratio determination of coal compounds

in Analytical Chemistry (1997), 69(11), 2030-2034

A new, completely automated gas chromatography technique has been developed to separate the different gaseous compounds produced during underground coal gasification for their C-13/C-12 and D/H isotope ... [more ▼]

A new, completely automated gas chromatography technique has been developed to separate the different gaseous compounds produced during underground coal gasification for their C-13/C-12 and D/H isotope ratio measurements, ?he technique was designed for separation and collection of Hz, CO, CO2, H2O, H2S, CH4, and heavier hydrocarbons. These gaseous compounds are perfectly separated by the gas-phase chromatograph and quantitatively sent to seven combustion and collection lines. H-2, CO, CH4, and heavier hydrocarbons are quantitatively oxidized to CO2 and/or H2O. The isotopic analyses are performed by the sealed-tube method, The zinc method is used for reduction of both water and H2S to hydrogen for D/H analysis, Including all preparation steps, the reproducibility of isotope abundance values, for a quantity higher than or equal to 0.1 mt of individual components in a mixture (5 mt of gases being initially injected in the gas chromatograph), is +/-0.1 parts per thousand for delta(13)C(PDB) and +/-6 parts per thousand for delta(13)C(PDB) and +/-6 parts per thousand for delta(SMOW). [less ▲]

Toxicological investigations on the heavy metals contamination of seabirds and marine mammals beached along the Belgian coast

in Bulletin de la Société Royale des Sciences de Liège (1996), 65

Role of the metallothioneins in metal regulation by the guillemot Uria aalge

in Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. C : Comparative Pharmacology and Toxicology (1996), 113C

Elements stocks and fluxes in the P.oceanica ecosystem of the Mediterranean

Report (1994)

Distribution of POC, PON and particulate Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ti, Zn and deltaC13 in the English Channel and adjacent areas

in Oceanologica Acta (1994), 17(6), 643-657

Métaux lourds et isotopes stables du carbone dans la matière particulaire: distribution sur le plateau continental nord-ouest européen

in Bulletin de la Société Royale des Sciences de Liège (1994), 63

Dynamique du carbone inorganique des eaux de surface dans l'embouchure de l'Escaut

in Bulletin de la Société Royale des Sciences de Liège (1994), 61

La matière en suspension de la couche de surface du plateau continental nord-ouest européen. I. Distribution spatiale de la biomasse et du rapport 13C/12C

in Bulletin de la Société Royale des Sciences de Liège (1992), 61

Ecohydrodynamical study of the Liguro-Proven Front (Corsica) I. Hydrological data

in Van Grieken, R.; Wollast, R. (Eds.) Proceedings of the Symposium on Progress in Belgian Oceanography, Brussels, March 1985 (1985)

Hydrological measurements (temperature, conductivity, salinity) have been realized in 1982 and 1984 along the Calvi - Nice axis from the Corsican coast to 30 miles offshore. The data have shown a ... [more ▼]

Hydrological measurements (temperature, conductivity, salinity) have been realized in 1982 and 1984 along the Calvi - Nice axis from the Corsican coast to 30 miles offshore. The data have shown a thermohaline front separating low saline coastal waters of atlantic origin from high saline offshore waters of deeper origin. A succession of divergences and convergences is associated to that discontinuity. During spring, the front is emphasized and the water upwellings reach the surface. During summer, the upwellings are limited by the vertical stratification but an isopycnal inclination is always observed from the front to the coast. [less ▲]